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Those magnificent men in their flying machines will be thrilling spectators at the third Bahrain International Airshow this month with a touch of nostalgia heading for the skies in the form of a Spitfire.
The Spitfire was one of the iconic fighters of the Second World War and Bahrain played a part in supporting the British war effort by donating aircraft for action.
Ace pilot the late Francis Scott-Malden, for example, bore the initials S-M below the cockpit and the legend ‘Bahrain’. Scott-Malden’s Spitfire W3632 – built in Hampshire – was a gift from the people of Bahrain, who had raised £15,000 (BD9,247), to buy it.
The show coincides and is linked to GREAT British Week being staged on the island and will provide a boost for all those joining in the celebrations.
“The Spitfire is a tangible demonstration of the historical link between Bahrain and the United Kingdom,” said Martin Whitaker, managing director of Sportique88, the Amwaj-based company project-managing the event.
“Apart from the fact that this is such an iconic aeroplane, one of the most instantly recognisable shapes in the sky, this aircraft with its ‘Bahrain’ markings underpins the ethos of the GREAT British Week.
“The Spitfire is a symbol of British engineering and endeavour and its attendance and display at the forthcoming Bahrain International Airshow will perfectly complement a number of the signature events and activities that comprise the GREAT British Week.
“From a personal point of view I am over the moon that a Spitfire will be gracing the skies of Bahrain. I have long been aware of the donation of an aircraft to the British Government and the RAF during the Second World War. I make no excuse; I am a fan of the marque. There is something quintessentially British about it and there is no doubt that it will stir a lot of emotions in many people.
“To have not only the sight of a Spitfire, but most importantly the sound of its Merlin engine reverberating across Sakhir will be something to behold. It will be a fitting tribute to those in Bahrain who supported the UK and the pilots who flew this most beautiful of aircraft.”
Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, the GREAT British Week will run from January 15-22. Hosted in conjunction with the third Bahrain International Airshow, the event is an important part of the build-up to mark the 200th anniversary of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Bahrain.
The GREAT British Week is designed to emphasise the friendship and strong bilateral relationship between the UK and Bahrain, while exhibiting Britain’s tradition of world-class engineering and technology skills.
Events planned for the week will showcase the long-standing business links between the two countries with conferences and events being organised within the British and Bahraini communities.
The international air show will return to the kingdom on January 16-18 and the Sakhir Airbase will offer visitors the opportunity to experience one of the best flying displays in the Middle East.
The five-hour visual spectacular in the sky will feature aerobatic display teams, military aircraft, historic and modern. There will be free grandstand seating allowing ticket-holders to enjoy the display in comfort.
Confirmed attractions include The Royal Jordanian Falcons, Al Fursan Aerobatic Team, The SWIP Team, The Red Devils & Saudi Falcons Parachute Team, Breitling Wingwalkers, a UAE Mirage 2000, a UAE F16, Saudi Hawks, Russian Knights, DHL’s mighty 757 carrier and a Gulf Air A330, alongside the Spitfire, a former fighter converted into a two-seater trainer and totally restored after being severely damaged in an accident.
Executive officer Anna McDowell told GulfWeekly: “The Spitfire is special. She is an iconic aircraft which is unique in today’s aviation platform, she is a large part of our history which we are still imparting the importance of to our young people and she represents the greatness of a bygone era.
“We have disassembled the aircraft and placed her in a container which is currently sailing across to Bahrain. Upon arrival she will be transported by road to Sakhir Airbase where a team of our engineers who arrive on January 11 will re-assemble her prior to the air show.”
The latter is now under the wing of the Aircraft Restoration Company, the largest of the specialist aero-engineering operators sited at Duxford Airfield, in the English county of Cambridgeshire.
The award-winning company has completed many restorations, both flying and static, for museums, collections and private owners. Its owner John Romain, a former Hawker Siddeley and BAE aero engineer, is also a highly-experienced ‘war-bird’ pilot with dozens of different types in his logbook and over 500 hours on Spitfires alone.
The public showground will also offer a variety of on-the-ground attractions and activities to entertain adults and children alike.
A Heritage Village will feature art and craft from the region, music recitals and other performance arts. The National Space Centre from England will be creating a Space Zone interactive exhibit, including a planetarium featuring a 360º full dome cinema experience showcasing inter-stellar movies.
As well as arts and crafts workshops the organisers have commissioned the world’s best 3-D Street artists to come to the air show and Aerodium Technologies will be returning to bring its popular vertical wind-tunnel experience. The tunnels allow people to enjoy open air flying, above a safety net in tandem with instructors.
And thrill-seekers will also get the chance to try out ‘zorbing’ by jumping inside a huge inflatable ball for a truly exhilarating experience.
A retail village will host a variety of shopping delights from official show souvenirs, books and perfume and the showground will be packed with a whole host of other attractions including face-painting and henna tattoo artists, stilt-walkers, giant inflatable slides and bouncy castles.
Furthermore, there’ll be live entertainment with a musical stage show. In the morning there will be a children’s band with games and prizes for winners. In the evening, local act Salsa Cubana will be entertaining the crowd along with Salsa Dancers. DJ Outlaw will also be on stage at the show.
Tickets are available to purchase from a selection of Batelco stores. Adult tickets cost BD7 and children under 16 cost BD3.
SHOW PROGRAMME
ON ALL THREE DAYS
9am Visitor registration and show opens
10am-12.30pm Trade/Customer demonstration flights
1.30pm-4.30pm Flying display
5pm Show closes
